Biology Program Requirements for 2024-2025

Students should be aware that graduate and professional programs may have specific requirements for admission. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors, the chair of the division, or with the health professions advisor for guidance.

One-half of all biology credits taken to meet degree requirements must be completed at Fisher.

B.A. in Biology

For students majoring in biology, all courses designated as biology courses (BIOL) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Requirements

Biology Core – 19 credits

  • BIOL 151 – General Biology I with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 152 – General Biology II with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 251 – General Biology III with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 298 – Introduction to Research Methods (3)
  • BIOL 349 – Career Seminar (1)
  • BIOL 495 - Senior Seminar (3)

Chemistry Requirements – 13 credits

  • CHEM 103C – P4 General Chemistry I (3) CHEM 103L – General Chemistry Lab I (1)
  • CHEM 104C – General Chemistry II (3) CHEM 104L – General Chemistry Lab II (1)
  • CHEM 201 – SQ Organic Chemistry I (3) CHEM 201L – Organic Chemistry Lab I (2)

Biology Electives – 12 credits

  • 12 additional biology credits at the 300-level or higher, excluding BIOL 490, 496, 498, Honors contracts and Fisher Core courses.

Mathematics Requirements – 3 credits

  • ECON 221 – SQ Statistics I (3)

Total: 47 credits

In addition, B.A. students in biology must complete the University requirements for a B.A. degree which include earning at least 90 credit hours of liberal arts, completing a minor in another discipline, and meeting the foreign language proficiency requirement. See Bachelor's Degree requirements for more details.

B.A. in Biology with Inclusive Adolescence Education

Disclosure: This degree program is intended for students that are/will be part of the Noyce Inspire scholarship. Other students can enroll in this degree, however, only those that have applied and were selected by the Noyce Scholarship Committee will receive the scholarship. Visit the Noyce website for more details.

The B.A. in biology with inclusive adolescence education degree program is a dual certification program comprised of both the biology major and the inclusive adolescence education major with certification concentration in adolescence education – biology (7-12) and students with disabilities - generalist (7-12) certification. This program prepares teacher candidates to be highly capable and ethically responsible teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to teach and reach all students effectively in adolescence education (grades 7-12).

Students in the B.A. in biology with inclusive education degree program must successfully complete the B.A. biology requirements as listed below as well as all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details). Students must complete the University requirements for a B.A. degree which include earning at least 90 credit hours of liberal arts and meeting the foreign language requirement. A minor is not required for this B.A. degree as the program results in a double major. Students must earn grades of "C" or higher in all courses in the content area. All courses designated as biology courses (BIOL) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Requirements

Biology Core – 18 credits

  • BIOL 151 – General Biology I with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 152 – General Biology II with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 251 – General Biology III with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 298 – Introduction to Research Methods (3)
  • BIOL 495 - Senior Seminar (3)

Chemistry Requirements – 8 credits

  • CHEM 103C – P4 General Chemistry I (3) CHEM 103L – General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CHEM 104C – General Chemistry II (3) CHEM 104L – General Chemistry II Lab (1)

Biology Electives – 9 credits

  • At least 9 additional biology credits, six of which must be at the 300 level or above. Students can earn up to three total credits from BIOL 496.

Natural and Social Science Electives – 9 credits

  • At least 9 additional credits in the Natural or Social Sciences (BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, MATH, PSYC, PHYS, SOCI, or SUST).

Note: Although a 100 level course in the Natural or Social Sciences (BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, MATH, PSYC, PHYS, SOCI or SUST) may be used to fulfill one of the courses in this requirement, no courses from the foundational areas of Fisher Core may apply. These areas include Learning Community, Research-Based Writing, and Data Analytics. 

Mathematics Requirements – 3 credits

    • ECON 221 – SQ Statistics I (3)

Total: 47 credits

B.S. in Biology

For students majoring in biology, all courses designated as biology courses (BIOL) that may be applied to the major are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Requirements

Biology Core – 19 credits

  • BIOL 151 – General Biology I with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 152 – General Biology II with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 251 – General Biology III with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 298 – Introduction to Research Methods (3)
  • BIOL 349 – Career Seminar (1)
  • BIOL 495 - Senior Seminar (3)

Chemistry Requirements – 18 credits

  • CHEM 103C – P4 General Chemistry I (3) CHEM 103L – General Chemistry Lab I (1)
  • CHEM 104C – General Chemistry II (3) CHEM 104L – General Chemistry Lab II (1)
  • CHEM 201 – SQ Organic Chemistry I (3) CHEM 201L – Organic Chemistry Lab I (2)
  • CHEM 202 – Organic Chemistry II (3) CHEM 202L – Organic Chemistry Lab II (2)

Physics Requirements – 8 credits

  • PHYS 141 - General Physics Workshop I (4)
  • PHYS 142 - General Physics Workshop II (4)

Biology Electives – 18 credits

  • 18 additional biology credits, 15 of which must be at the 300-level or higher, excluding BIOL 490, 496, 498, Honors contracts, and Fisher Core courses.

Mathematics Requirements – 3 credits

    • ECON 221 - SQ Statistics I (3)

Total: 66 credits

B.S. Inclusive Adolescence Education Dual Major/Concentration in Biology

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive adolescence education (biology) may dual-major in inclusive adolescence education and biology (B.A. or B.S. program requirements as listed above, excluding BIOL 349) or they may opt to complete a biology concentration. Either choice results in the Bachelor of Science degree. In addition to meeting all of the inclusive adolescence education requirements (40-43 credits: see Inclusive Adolescence Education for details), the Biology Department in consultation with the Education Department, has outlined the following courses for the biology concentration which meet the New York state requirement for certification in biology. Students must earn grades of "C" or higher in all courses in the content area.

  • BIOL 151 – General Biology I with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 152 – General Biology II with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 251 – General Biology III with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 298 – Introduction to Research Methods (3)
  • BIOL 495 - Senior Seminar (3)
  • Biology electives – with at least 6 credit hours at the 300 level or above (12)

Total: 30 credits

B.S. Inclusive Childhood Education Dual Major/Concentration in Biology

Students pursuing teaching certification in inclusive childhood education must declare either a second major or a concentration in a liberal arts field. Either choice results in a Bachelor of Science degree. Inclusive childhood education majors who wish to pursue a dual major with biology take all of the major requirements as listed above (B.A. or B.S. requirements) in addition to meeting all of the inclusive childhood education requirements (49-52 credits: see Inclusive Childhood Education for details). If an inclusive childhood education major wishes to complete a concentration in biology, the Biology Department in consultation with the Education Department, has outlined the following courses which meet the New York state requirement for a liberal arts concentration in this field. Students must earn grades of "C" or higher in all courses in the content area.

  • BIOL 151 – General Biology I with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 152 – General Biology II with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 251 – General Biology III with Lab (4)
  • BIOL 298 – Introduction to Research Methods (3)
  • BIOL 495 - Senior Seminar (3)
  • Biology electives – with at least 6 credit hours at the 300 level or above (12)

Total: 30 credits

Minor in Biology

For students minoring in biology, all courses designated as biology courses (BIOL) that may be applied to the minor are included in the determination of the grade point average in the minor. A grade point average of 2.00 is required for all courses taken in residence that may be applied to the minor.

Requirements

  • BIOL 151 – General Biology I (4)
  • BIOL 152 – General Biology II (4)
  • BIOL 251 – General Biology III (4)
  • At least two additional 3- or 4- credit courses, one of which must be at the 300 level or above, excluding BIOL 490, 496, and 498, Honors contracts, and Fisher Core courses.

Total: 18-20 credits

Note: Although 100 level courses in biology may be used to fulfill this requirement, no courses from the foundational areas of Core 2020 may apply. These areas include Learning Community, Research-Based Writing, and Data Analysis. 

Note: The program requirements listed are for the current academic year. Past and future program requirements may differ.